Assembly for forming silos



July 21,1970 o. HEINZLE 3,521,;35

AssEuBLY FOR FORMING SILOS v Filed Oct. 9, 1967 a Sheets-Sheet 1 IIIIIIIIII II-I;IIIYIII INVENTOR.

July 21, 1970 o. HEIN'ZLE ASSEIBLY FOR FORMING SILOS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 9', 196'! INVENTOR.

July 21; 1970 c. HEINZLE KSSEIBLY FOR FORMING SILOS 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed on. '9, 1967 INVENTOR.

United States Patent US. Cl. 25-131 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An assembly for forming silos or like vertically elongated containers involves a segmented scaffold slidably supported on at least one centrally disposed guide rod and a circumferential casting shell formed of inner and outer shell pieces which are supported by the scaffold via rod and suspension eye units that permit limited horizontal movement between the rod and eye elements. The inner and outer shells are vertically slotted to permit size alteration and release from a layer of cast concrete and repositioning for a new layer at the next higher step in the upwardly progressive formation of the concrete container.

The invention relates to a shell for the production of container shaped concrete constructions such as silos or the like in which two shell pieces are provided spaced from one another by the distance corresponding to the wall thickness of the container, formed displaceably in the direction of their central axis and peripherally closed, wherein the shell pieces are arranged directly or indirectly on a common carrier fitted with guide elements and this carrier is held displaceably on at least one guide rod.

For the production of particularly high containers of concrete, as for example silos for grain storage or fermenting folder silos individual plates were mostly hitherto I used for the shell which plates had to be shaped corresponding to the radius of curvature prevailing at the time for the container to be constructed. These plates are made from relatively heavy sheet iron and possess at their edge zones angular profile-like flanges at which they are connected to one another. The many individual plates must be connected with one another by means of clamping hoops, corresponding to the periphery of the containers. After the casting with one layer of such plates the next layer of plates is erected and here again these have to be connected with one another. Furthermore the individual plates are also frontally connected with one another, so that now also two or more superimposed plate layers are firmly clamped together. I

The production of a high closed container demands much time, since according to experience one or two days must be awaited for the formation of the shell. At this stage the lower series of plates is released and erected on'the series of plates overlying them. However first all individual plates must be released from one another and then be again connected.

With this known method of shell formation not only is a considerable expense of time and work force required, but high material expenditure also plays a part.

Since such shells of the known kind, especially of a construction height of more than 8 metres are dangerous, skilled labour is generally necessary for the production and removal of the shell, which raises considerably the building costs.

The transport and handling of such shell plates is extremely difficult because of the great number required and the not inconsiderable weight.

Shells are also already known in which two shell pieces are provided spaced from one another by the thickness of the wall of the container and formed displaceably in the direction of their central axis and peripherally closed. In these known embodiments the lifting of the shell pieces is effected by hydraulic installations or 'by means of a toothed rod drive. The hydraulic equipment however raises the price of such shells and is associated with a greater expenditure of assistance.

The former shells of this type were only manipulated with high cost and also the work with such shells could particularly with great heights be regarded as dangerous to life. In addition in the known embodiments an enormous expenditure of material and assembly was required.

The object of the invention is to create a shell for the production of containers, especially silos or the like, which can be set up, displaced and removed by a single operator. In the shell according to the invention moreover the afore-mentioned disadvantages will be avoided.

This is attained in that the carrier is formed as a traversa'ble platform and a hand or motor winch or other lifting means is fitted on the carrier for displacement thereof along the guide rod.

The formation according to the invention bring with it a safe working surface, since the opening required for the container is always closed off. Thus the filling of the shell with concrete is substantially facilitated in contrast to the known types of shell, where only a single wood plank was laid on and a considerable risk of accident particularly at great heights existed. The concrete can be poured in from the platform with transportable containers. Since the hand or motor winch or other lifting means is arranged on the carrier this can easily 'be serviced from the platform, so that the formation, displacement and removal of the shell, can be carried out by a single operator.

Further features according to the invention and particular advantages will be seen from the following description and the drawings but the invention is not to be regarded as limited to the example described.

FIG. 1 shows a section of the shell and the carrier;

FIG. 2, a plan view of the shell and the platform;

FIG. 3, a view of the suspension eyes and a spacing holder;

FIGS. 4 and 5, a plate forming the platform or the support for the same;

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, the connecting or tensioning of the shell pieces;

FIG. 9, one possible method of connection between individual guide rods; 7

FIG. 10, a clamping jaw on a reinforcing iron; and

FIG. 11, a protection screen arranged on the exterior shell piece.

The shell consists of an outer shell piece 1 and an inner shell piece 2. The two shell pieces 1 and 2 are hand or strip shaped and formed peripherally closed, and v are made from one or more pieces screwed together. The shell pieces 1 and 2 are directly or indirectly connected with a carrier 3, this carrier 3 being held by means of a collar 5 on a guide rod 4 lying in the central axis of the shell pieces. The carrier 3 is provided with rails 6 which in this embodiment lead radially outward and serve as support for the plates 7 which form a transversable platform 8. Rods '9 are secured to these plates 7 by means of brackets 10 and engage in the suspension eyes 11 and 12 on the shell pieces 1 and 2 and accordingly' hold the shell pieces 1 and 2. For the distance holder 13 there are used bars with two slots 14 and 15, which are located over the walls of the shell pieces. The peripheral contour of the platform 8 corresponds approximately to that of the wall 16 so that at any time the correct circular form of the container is given through the arrangement of the distance holder 13 on the peripheral contour of the platform 8.

A handwinch 17 is illustrated in FIG. 1 as the drawing means for the lifting and lowering of the shell pieces or the carrier, wherein by shortening of the traction cable 18, which is led over a cable roller at the upper end of the guide rod, the shell 1, 2 and the carrier 3 and accordingly the platform 8 are lifted up.

To secure the carrier on the guide rod 4 a lever 19 is pivotally mounted on the carrier 3, which lever is provided at one end with a ring 19 embracing the guide rod 4 with only slight play. The end of the traction cable 18 is secured to the zone opposite to that of ring 19' in relation to the bearing 19". A spring 19" acting oppositely to the cable traction is attached to a free end of the lever. If traction is now applied to the cable 18 then the spring 19" etfects a tilting of the ring 19' so that the carrier and thus the shell pieces cannot fall downwardly. On raising the carrier the ring is however pressed on the collar 5 in the horizontal position, so that it cannot tilt this and accordingly exerts no braking action.

FIG. 3 shows the construction of the suspension eyes 11 and 12 as well as the distance holder 13. The suspension eyes 11 and 12 are formed as slots in the peripheral direction (longitudinal slots 20, 21) so that the shell pieces on release or on tensioning or screwing can move in the peripheral direction of the wall. The rod 9 is secured to the plate or to the rail 6 by means of a bracket 10.

The individual plates 7 for construction of the platform 8 are provided with lateral straps 22, 23 which prevent lateral displacement in relation to the rails 6 (FIGS. 4 and 5). The plates are made from wood the individual planks 24 being connected with the straps 22, 23.

The connection at a break in the outer shell piece 1 is effected by means of a key 26, which has key-shaped springs 27 which engage in grooves 25 provided on the shell piece. The shell piece 1 is thus drawn together (FIG. 6).

At a break in the inner shell piece 2 grooves 28, 29 each extending over the breadth of the shell piece 2 are provided, the depth 30, 31 of the grooves 28, 29 running at an acute angle to the vertical. These grooves are formed to receive a plate 32, the side zones 33 of which lie at an acute angle to one another. A nose 34 at its upper part is arranged for the lifting out and insertion of this plate (FIGS. 7 and 8).

Different lengths of guide rods 4 are required accord ing to the height of the construction work. Suitably with guide rods in the form of two or more interengaged tubes, bolts 35 are provided in the region of the tube ends.

FIG. 10 shows a clamp 36 which is secured to a vertically running reinforcement rod 37. This clamp 36 serves for regulation of the advancement height of the shell pieces 1, 2.

In order to ensure in particular safety of the individuals working on platform 8, tubular members 38 can be welded or riveted on the outer shell piece 1, for the fitting of a protective screen. In the embodiment according to FIG. 11 a rod 39 is provided which by means of eyes 41 carries a protective wire or tube 40.

The procedure in the handling of the shell is as follows: At the central axis of the silo to be erected the guide rod 4 is anchored or erected. The carrier 3 can now be fitted on the rod 4 to which the rails 6 are to be secured. The plates 7, forming the platform 8, bear with their edge portions on the rails '6. Brackets 10 are provided on the plates to receive the rods 9 after the application of the outer and inner shell pieces 1, 2. These rods 9 now connect the brackets 10 arranged on the plates 7 with the suspension eyes 11 and 12 of the shell pieces 1 and 2. The shell pieces now hang on the carrier 3 which is held on the guide rod 4. For tensionin-g of the shell pieces the following is provided: The outer shell,

piece 1 is tensioned through the key 26. The inner shell piece is pressed apart by means of the wedge shaped plate 32, which is engaged in or pushed into, a groove on a break of the shell piece. In order to attain the desired peripheral contour of the silo and the determined wall thickness, the distance holders 13 are mounted on the shell pieces 1, 2, which additionally lie on the peripheral contour of the platform.

The work of concreting can now begin, wherein the large working surface provided by the platform 8 makes possible a rapid and safe operation.

After the drying out or after the complete hardening of the last moulded strips the shell can as a rule be made ready for the next strip-like moulding after one or two days.

The removal of the shell now proceeds in the following manner: First of all the distance holders 13 are taken away, and the key 26 and wedge-shaped plate 32 are then removed. The shell is released from the concrete by simple blows and now lies freely movable thereon. Since a slight displacement takes place on release of the shell pieces 1 and 2, longitudinal slits or slots 20, 21 are provided on the suspension eyes 11 and 12. By operation of the hand winch 17, the carrier 3 together with the platform and the shell can be raised, wherein clamps 36 are applied for exact limitation of the advancement in this procedure on the reinforcement rods 37 lying parallel to the central axis (FIG. 10). These clamps 36 are fixed at a distance from the former concrete height, which is somewhat smaller than the height of the shell pieces. The gauging of the vertical construction of the silos can be taken care of on these clamps, for example by means of a water level which is laid on two such clamps. According to the height of the building work further rods are fitted on or inserted in the rod 4 which lies at central axis of the shell.

The procedure can now begin again. The shell pieces are tensioned and the distance holders fitted on. The for mation of the shell requires only a short time and can also be carried out by a single operator which is not only a great advantage from the price point of view but also from the viewpoint of safety and working technique.

For production of containers with different diameters of the same shell pieces can for example be used with strips which can be extended in telescopic fashion and interlocked.

It is also possible to have the separate band or strip shaped shell pieces composed from separate metal sheets which are for example welded, riveted or screwed together. The screwing of individual strip parts is particularly of importance in transport since the shell pieces can be taken apart.

It can be provided in addition that at the central axis of the shell pieces a toothed rod is provided, on which the carrier is raised up by means of toothed wheels. Furthermore the rod need not lie at the central axis and several guide rods can be applied according to the size of the silo.

In place of the wedges for the outer shell piece tension clamps can, for example, also be provided.

It is also possible for lifting up the carrier and accordingly the platform and the shell to use a motor winch or other lifting means.

To attain a circular silo cross-section it is furthermore possible to arrange the plates 7 forming the platform 8 displaceable radially outwards so that these during the concreting press outwardly the inner shell piece 2 uniformly 'at the whole periphery.

The shell according to the invention is obviously adapted not only for the production of silos but also for other container-like structures or structural parts.

What is claimed is:

1. An assembly for the construction from concrete of V silos or like vertically elongated cylindrical containers comprising:

(A) at least one vertically extending guide rod,

(B) gripper collar means slidably carried upon the guide rod,

(C) a plurality of horizontally spaced support arms carried by said gripper collar means extending radially therefrom,

(D) a plurality of arcuate segment plates supported upon said arms forming a scaffold surrounding said guide rod and indirectly supported thereby,

(E) concrete casting shell means comprising an inner shell piece and an outer shell piece,

(F) said shell pieces each having spaced around the top edge thereof a plurality of suspension eyes defining horizontally elongated slots,

(G) a. plurality of rods carried by said scaffold extending radially beyond the periphery of the scaffold and disposed at positions corresponding to the spaced locations of said suspension eyes upon said shell pieces, each of said rods extending through and horizontally slidable in both a suspension eye in said inner shell piece and a suspension eye in said outer shell piece, said casting shell being thereby supported by said rods,

(H) wedge means which biases said inner shell piece toward an expanded circumference, and

(I) holding means which biases said outer shell piece toward a contracted circumference forming a casting shell of predetermined size whereby release of said wedge means and holding means allow an expansion in the size of said casting shell to release the casting shell from concrete cast therein. 2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the peripheral contour of the scaifold is approximately equal to the internal contour of said inner shell piece.

3. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said gripper collar means comprises a lever pivotally mounted on said scaffold, a ring fixed to said lever and embracing said guide rod and a spring biasing said lever to move said lever vertically downward toward said scaifold.

4. An assembly as claimed in claim 3 comprising a rotary winch fixed to said scaffold and a cable which is led over roller means carried by said guide rod above said scaffold, the free end of the cable being fastened to said lever of said gripper collar means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS ROBERT D. BALDWIN, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

